Giovanni's Room
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Giovanni's Room
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Description
Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin is a monumental work that delves deep into the human psyche and the complexities of love and identity. This beautiful new clothbound edition of Baldwin’s ground-breaking novel further solidifies his status as one of the great American writers of his time.
Set against the evocative backdrop of 1950s Paris, the story revolves around David, a young American expatriate, who awaits the return of his fiancée, Hella, from her vacation in Spain. Paris, with its liberating and bohemian atmosphere, becomes the setting for David's tumultuous journey of self-discovery. During this period of waiting, David encounters Giovanni, a captivating Italian barman. The immediate and intense connection between the two men quickly develops into a passionate and all-consuming affair, challenging David's preconceived notions about his own identity and desires.
As their relationship deepens, David is tormented by his inner conflicts and societal expectations. The return of his fiancée forces him to make a heart-wrenching decision. Denying his true feelings and sexuality, David chooses what he perceives to be a 'safe' and socially acceptable path by committing to a future as a married man. This choice leads to a cascade of tragedy, longing, and profound regret, as he grapples with the irreversible consequences of forsaking true love.
With lyrical prose and an unflinching exploration of complex emotions, Baldwin paints a vivid portrait of man caught between passion and societal pressures. Giovanni's Room is more than just a story of love; it is a poignant narrative about the struggles of identity, the harsh judgments of society, and the haunting nature of regret.
This edition is a must-have for both fans of Baldwin and new readers alike, inviting them to dive into the richly drawn world of David, Giovanni, and 1950s Paris, where every decision is fraught with deep personal and societal implications.
Series: Penguin Clothbound Classics
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Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780241718599
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 01 August 2024
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Penguin Classics
Contributors:
- Introduction by Caryl Phillips
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 17.0mm
Width: 136.0mm
Height: 205.0mm
Weight: 280g
Pages: 176
About the Author
James Baldwin was born in 1924 in New York. His first novel, Go Tell It on the Mountain (1953), which evokes his experiences as a boy preacher in Harlem, was an immediate success. Baldwin's second novel, Giovanni's Room (1956) has become a landmark of gay literature and Another Country (1962) caused a literary sensation. His searing essay collections Notes of a Native Son (1955) and Nobody Knows My Name (1961) contain many of the works that made him an influential figure in the Civil Rights Movement. Baldwin published several other collections of non-fiction, including The Fire Next Time (1963) and No Name in the Street (1972). His short stories are collected in Going to Meet the Man (1965). His later works include the novels Tell Me How Long the Train's Been Gone (1968), If Beale Street Could Talk (1974) and Just Above My Head (1979). James Baldwin won a number of literary fellowships- a Eugene F. Saxon Memorial Trust Award, a Rosenwald Fellowship, a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Partisan Review Fellowship and a Ford Foundation grant. He was made a Commander of the Legion of Honour in 1986. He died in 1987 in France
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